This podcast is completely self-indulgent. I can’t believe that I wasted my time listening to the whole thing. The big “reveal” in the end was not earth-shattering like the listener is led to believe. This podcast might be interesting for the family, but it’s not that interesting for everyone else.

I really liked the home spun honestly; I also loved the music.

Perfectly done. I am enjoying your story, your telling of it and especially the writing. ❤️

I don’t know why I didn’t just quit listening. It was such a waste of time! Some of the memories shared were poignant, but the focus of the father’s secret was a waste. You will guess the big secret by episode 2 or 3. She should have focused on her MOTHER! Her story & life was much interesting & enlightening as an example of what a woman, wife & mother endured in that time period. The music is creepy & annoying. I honestly am quite angry with myself for finishing this.

I love the music !! It’s intoxicating I love hearing your mom How special to have her recorded Mom do you want to do a Podcast? I don’t even know what a Podcast is.... I love ‘The Pod’ i guess i only said that cause We’re doing a Podcast’ Loving this piece Thank You

This was very odd. Strange telling of events that don't connect or are relevant to the big reveal they seem to be building up to. Very all over the place. The musical interludes are bizarre to say the least. I found odd tangents about losing virginity and drugs especially perplexing. The construction of this....story?...drove me nuts.

Ugh! I love the story, but Jesus, the musical interludes are so cringey. Not only that but the music interrupts the story every 2 seconds. I subscribed to listen to the memoir not some out of tune original folk music.

Short episodes that consistently say she’ll tell you more about that.....in a future episode. Frequently uses the same sound bytes in more than one place. All leading up to a “reveal” that is easily guessed in episode 1. Could have been one 20 minute story. Good storytelling, albeit often corny.

This was so weird, in a bad way. The songs stuck in the middle of the storytelling were nails on a chalk board. Be prepared to fast forward a lot. Better yet, skip it all together. Episode 10 had the dramatic (not) secret that really doesn’t not pertain to her dad but to her dad’s ancestors. Yawn.

I’m on episode 5, and so far it’s just a lot of this & that about a family. No real story. She keeps mentioning how “abusive” her father was but never gives an example of the abuse. I’m having a hard time with this one.

Dear Ms. Harper, Your account of your family is such a delight to listen to. Allow me to express my sincere gratitude for your testimony and candor. I am enjoying this podcast immensely! Best, Chavonne

Jessica Harper’s voice is beautiful. She has the humblebrag done to perfection. Her mother is the best part. She’s witty and clever.

It’s a nicely told family tale but there’s nothing extraordinary about it. I do believe, however, with all the weirdly placed children’s songs, that the true purpose of the podcast was to give exposure to her career as a singer-songwriter in the children’s music genre. I’ll give her credit that was a clever thing to do but it just doesn’t work. Weird.

Well written and produced but lacked much of an plot arc. The “secret” wasn’t worth the hours it took to get there. The music was amusing.

This is the charming tale of a large family in the 1950s and 60s. The stories are sometimes cute, sometimes disturbing, but always feel authentic. The telling is slower-paced than most pods, beautifully narrated and punctuated with songs, interviews and historical references. Overall, this podcast is more about style than content, but if you’re looking for something with a cozy feeling or for a long family car ride, this should meet your needs perfectly. If you’re looking for action or investigation, this isn’t for you, although you might enjoy an episode or two to get a taste of a different way of using podcasting to tell a story.

Enjoying the story but the music is just distracting. It would be better without it.

It’s a great podcast but I thought the “Big Reveal” of the big family secret left me shrugging my shoulders. That was it?! I mean , it’s horrible but very common for anyone who has family rooted in the south.

This memoir could have been a mostly-fun nostalgia trip for Baby Boomers and fans of mid-century history. . . think A Christmas Story, fast-forwarded a bit, and for all seasons. I actually really enjoyed the heavy use of original music! It was very cute, and elevated the podcast above a simple recounting of everyday memories. I also found it cool that the voice of the children’s mother was used, and she was able to give her honest perspective on a lot of the events. She wasn’t over-used to the point of bogging down the story, but it seemed like the very best parts of her commentary were pulled and highlighted. Jessica’s voice was very pleasant to listen to as well; while she has family recordings, she does narrate a lot of the story herself, and she does so with good humor and very tranquil but engaging delivery. Unfortunately, these positives were ultimately overshadowed for me by the BIG FAMILY SECRET teased in every episode. Listeners should know that the secret doesn’t appear until the final installment, and the content of the secret does not, to my mind, drive a 10-episode podcast with eight bonus segments. This commodification of the information discovered felt tacky to me and left a bad taste in my mouth. I felt that she made this “about them,” when it was really about the devastation of others, and the privilege of the entire family radiates glaringly against this backdrop in a way that the author seems unaware of. Additionally, because of the information surrounding the secret, listeners know that it can only possibly be so many things. . . most conclusions you will come to as possibilities will make the actual secret look even worse. Very fun to listen to overall, but sadly marred by the exact mystery overused as a plot device.

This podcast is a testament to the power of independent podcasters telling meaningful stories. It is well written and wonderfully narrated. The storytelling highlights the complexity of the family with refreshing honor and honesty.

I didn’t want it to end! Your brothers are hysterical!!

Could have been a lot better without erupting into song every episode. Also in every episode she brings up something and then says “but we’ll save that story for a later episode”... half of these things were never brought up again.

It feels like Jessica has captured my own childhood years as a 60s kid. This is poignant, funny, sad and irresistible. It is amazingly accurate of the times and captured like a mental movie. I binged this whole series caught in the feelings and memories of growing up a baby boomer.

Highly recommend this podcast, especially if you are of the baby boomer generation. I enjoyed Jessica Harper’s sly wit in relating to younger folks who may not understand some of the cultural references. Her family’s story is absorbing and poignant. Made me wish I had come from a large family like hers.

I miss the Harper stories.

Don’t waste your time. The description of this pod makes it sound so dramatic! Family secrets! An abusive dad! Crime sprees! The 60s! I entered the experience expecting a thrilling ride. What I got was all foreshadowing with no payoff. A tale of a standard issue white bread suburban upbringing in the 50s and 60s. Some minor drama typical to all families. The Wonder Years without the emotional investment. The last straw for me was Ep. 7. where we were promised some payoff, with the great rebellion against the abusive father! Which amounted to one disrespectful remark, a typical teenager running up the stairs and slamming his door, and the terrifying Dad in tears. At least this episode was enlivened by tales of the brothers’ escapades as teenagers (the promised crime spree). Now THAT would be a podcast!

As the youngest child in a large family, though a couple decades younger, I could so relate to much of the story! The only thing I don’t like is the music. I can’t figure out what the connection is, maybe that’s her or a family member singing? Other than that, it’s awesome. Her voice is so wonderful, and her writing is beautiful.

Wonderfully written, always entertaining and It leaves you with a want for more. Last episode next week, :( I hope J.H. changes her mind and continues with more stories.

I love these stories so much. It is a wonderful glimpse of early life and experience in middle America told by one of my all-time favorite actresses. I find every episode engrossing and addicting- I hate it when they end and I can't wait for more. Thank you,Jessica!!!

Stories are slow in developing and turn out to be uneventful family mush. Her singing the old timey tunes is nauseating. Jessica knows she missed the boat on the freedom generation because she was too conservative. Now she embellished the fact she tried a joint into being a hippie. Actually a sad story of what could have been an interesting story.

I'm enjoying the story being told, but could majorly do without both the singing/musical interruptions (they're unbearably cheesy) and the every episode teaser of a "big reveal," which doesn't actually get revealed until episode 10. It better be *really* freaking good after the endless dangling then not delivering

I appreciate the different approach to podcasting, almost like an audio book. The original music is too kitschy for me, off-putting really, and actually plays louder than the rest of the podcast so I scramble to skip through it when baby is napping. Also confusing to figure out which episode is next (try to go by dates?) and where the bonus episodes belong. Bad logistical organization but talented writer.

Really good, poignant yet funny. It seems light, but I find myself thinking about it a lot. Harper has a great voice (talking and singing). Enjoy!

Promising premise....lost me with racing to fast forward the singing.

I really like this, good voice, interesting story. Not my usual choice but glad I subscribed

The first one or two kitschy songs written and performed by Jessica were cute. As of episode 4, leaves me shaking my head in dismay. I just don’t appreciate (I guess) the accompaniment of what can only be described as a late 80’s Casio keyboard with pre-loaded tempos. Were it not for the annoyance of anticipating jazz hands both in your face and verbalized simultaneously, I’d truly appreciate this podcast for its content rather than the distraction. It ends up feeling too self serving when paired with the closing credits. Missus, you’re not a tween. Don’t behave like one.

Jessica Harper has a great story and a sensational voice. I am enthralled with the narrative but I admit she would sound great reading an appliance repair manual and I would be waiting for the next episode to drop.

I am loving Jessica Harper’s podcast. It is beautifully written, and she has such a melodious voice. The accompanying music is also beautifully sung and each selection is a perfect accompaniment. Can’t wait to keep listening!

I loved Episode 1 of Winnetka! Jessica Harper is a natural storyteller and brings to life the real drama and mysteries of her “all-American family”. I cannot wait to hear more!

Can’t wait to listen to the rest of the episodes.

I expected something great but I didn’t know I’d be on the edge of my seat. Can’t wait for the rest!

I am completely in! Can’t wait for episode two!

Jessica Harper captures the smallest moment and the biggest idea with similar ease. And the sound story she creates! I love it.

I grew up in Winnetka and Jessica Harper's stories need to be told. Winnetka was a wonderful place, but a place that required successful families to maintain a shiny facade to the public. What happened behind the front door was often a different story. Since Winnetka, with its fabulous school system, was offered as a model of aspiration for many other places, I think it is really valuable to hear the other stories. Thank you, Jessica, for great work. I can't wait to hear the full sessions.